PASI facility

The PASI test facility, build in 2017, is a model of an open type passive heat removal system typically used for containment cooling. The reference system for the PASI test facility is the passive containment heat removal system (PHRS-C) of the AES-2006 type pressurized water reactor (VVER type PWR). The functioning of the system is based on natural circulation. With the PASI facility, the objective is to conduct tests to measure system performance characteristics, and to detect issues that could disturb the operation of a passive system or prevent it from functioning as designed.

The PASI test facility is a one loop system with open pipeline connections to a water pool. The PASI test facility consists of a pressure vessel simulating containment conditions, a heat exchanger, a water pool and interconnecting riser and downcomer pipelines. The pressure vessel around the heat exchanger provides containment environment and the water pool acts as a water reservoir for the system. Additional systems are included to provide steam, collect condensate water, remove heat and inject feedwater. An aerosol injection system can be added to the system in future.

In 2019 a new higher water pool and sparger were changed to the PASI test facility to better simulate the reference system.

Reference system	PHRS-C of AES-2006
Height scale	1:2
Number of the heat removal loops	1
Height of the heat removal loop	8.011 m
Maximum pressure	5 bar
Maximum temperature	170 °C
Height of the heat exchanger	2.817 m
Number of the heat exchange tubes	15
Heat exchange tube diameter	Ø38 x 3 mm
Riser pipeline diameter	Ø114.3 x 2.6 mm
Downcomer pipeline diameter	Ø88.9 x 3 mm
Main material of components	stainless steel
Insulation material	mineral wool